Top 20 Fantasy Football QBs

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When it comes to quarterbacks in fantasy football, the three obvious choices at the top are Denver's Peyton Manning, New Orleans' Drew Brees, and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, but what about the rest of these talented signal callers?

With Week 3 of the preseason nearly complete and the start of the 2014 regular season right around the corner, here's an updated look at the top-20 quarterbacks in fantasy football.

20. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

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20. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

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There are plenty of question marks in regard to the dependability of Flacco. While Flacco has been a good postseason quarterback, he has been an average fantasy QB at best. Flacco threw for a career high 3,912 yards in 2013, but his touchdowns dropped from 2012 to 2013 and his interceptions increased as well. The addition of Steve Smith should help some, but not enough to make Flacco a top fantasy option.

19. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

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19. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

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Given a non-existent running game and little to no protection last season (58 times sacked), Tannehill still posted solid fantasy numbers. He threw for 3,913 yards and 24 touchdowns. Now with Knowshon Moreno in the backfield and a significant turnover in the offensive line, Tannehill will be a solid backup option and bye-week replacement.

18. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

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18. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

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In Arizona's pass-oriented offense, Palmer will put up good statistics, but his turnover problems from a season ago (22 interceptions and six fumbles) has to be real concern. In a pass-oriented offense with two great receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd and a dual-threat running back in Andre Ellington, Palmer will be a fantasy sleeper this season.

17. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

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17. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

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Dalton has proven to be the antithesis of both Flacco and Manning, but he is a very good fantasy quarterback. In each of his first three seasons, Dalton's passing yards and touchdown passes have improved. For Dalton, who received a big contract extension this offseason, it helps to have one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL in Giovani Bernard and one of the best receivers in the game in A.J. Green.

16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

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16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2013, but it wasn't because of Roethlisberger. His numbers were once again impressive as he threw for 4,261 yards and 28 touchdown passes behind a porous offensive line. With Roethlisberger playing for a contract extension this season, expect him to have a great year and prove why he should be Pittsburgh's franchise QB.

15. Phllip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

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15. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

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Rivers threw for 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns last year, but outside of rookie Keenan Allen, the rest of his receiving corps leaves much to be desired. Even with the loss of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who helped revive Rivers last year, I expect similar numbers to his 2013 campaign.

14. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

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14. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

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Cutler has to stay healthy this season, but if he is, he will have a solid supporting cast around him. Cutler has the best wide receiver duo (Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery) in the NFL, an elite pass-catching running back (Matt Forte) and a solid tight end (Martellus Bennett). If healthy, Cutler will be a great fantasy option.

13. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

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13. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

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Most teams would love to have a quarterback who throws for 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions, which Romo did in 2013. Unfortunately, Romo will continuously be labeled as a quarterback who can't win the big one. For fantasy owners, that’s irrelevant. He’ll continue to put up big numbers. His back issues are a cause for concern, but he's still a viable starting fantasy quarterback.

12. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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12. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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Brady did as much as he could last year with the talent available to him. He still finished with 4,343 yards and 25 touchdowns playing with receivers he had never thrown to before outside of Julian Edelman. Assuming star tight end Rob Gronkowski can stay healthy, Brady should continue to put up big numbers and improve on last year's totals.

11. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

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11. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

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In just two seasons as the starter for the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson has thrown for 52 touchdowns with just 19 interceptions. His fantasy value also increases as he is an effective runner (1,028 yards and five touchdowns). Wilson does lose his leading receiver from last year in Golden Tate, but gets a healthy Percy Harvin back, which should only help improve his passing numbers.

10. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

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10. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

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Robert Griffin III, or RGIII, will still likely run despite being heavily scrutinized for not sliding. If he takes care of himself when he runs, he will continue to be a top-end fantasy quarterback. With receivers like Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed at his disposal, Griffin III should also see his passing stats improve this season.

9. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

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9. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

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Kaepernick was a little disappointing last year, finishing with just 3,197 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air and 524 yards and four scores on the ground. He should still be productive with his feet, but expect more from his arm this season. A healthy Michael Crabtree and the addition of Stevie Johnson to complement both Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin will give Kaepernick several reliable targets to target.

8. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

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8. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

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Newton had his most efficient season as a passer in 2013. Newton completed 61.7 percent of his passes, had 3,379 yards and threw 24 touchdowns, all a career-high. Newton was also effective on the ground, rushing for 585 yards and six touchdowns. Newton will be without his top three receivers from a season ago, but his dual-threat ability makes him a top fantasy QB.

7. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

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7. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

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Stafford threw for 4,650 yards and 29 touchdowns, but was hampered by poor mechanics and turnovers. Stafford does have a good group of receivers around him with Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Reggie Bush. The presence of quarterback-friendly coach Jim Caldwell should help Stafford limit his mistakes and post even better stats.

6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

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6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

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Not having future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez will hurt Ryan this season, but Julio Jones, Roddy White and Harry Douglas give Ryan a potent trio of wide receivers. Over the past four seasons, Ryan has averaged 4,279 yards and 28 touchdowns in a pass-heavy offense.

5. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

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5. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

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Foles threw for 27 touchdowns with just two interceptions in 2013. Heading into his second season as a starter, he has a firm grasp of Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense. Expect more growth from Foles, even if the numbers take a small hit. He will still be good, but not at a rate of 13.5 touchdowns to one interception.

4. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

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4. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

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Luck threw for 3,822 yards and 23 touchdowns without a true running game behind him, a poor offensive line, and without his top receiver in Reggie Wayne for most of the season. Luck also added 377 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His ability to run effectively puts him in the top-five. I expect his passing statistics to rise with Wayne and tight end Dwayne Allen coming back along with the signing of Hakeem Nicks.

3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

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3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

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Rodgers was limited to nine games last year, but a huge bounce back season is in order. He isn’t as good of a runner as he was in the past, but he is still an elite fantasy quarterback option.

2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

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2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

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Brees threw for 5,162 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2013. For the past three seasons, Brees has thrown for at least 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. It is a safe bet that Brees will post these types of numbers again this season.

1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

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1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

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As long as his neck is ok, how can you not rank Manning No. 1 after his record-breaking season? He threw for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns. He has great weapons in place. Despite question marks surrounding Wes Welker's concussion history, Peyton should have no problem putting up monster numbers once again.